sv1000-touring.

I have a naked sv650x and am seriously looking into touring next year with the lil lady, possibly Europe etc. The lil sv would struggle two up with all gear so would like to know what the big sv is like for touring. If you have any views on this topic please reply as i am seriously considering the upgrade, would like to hear from any present owners. Looking at vfr8oo v-teck, fjr also etc.

Mal.

[Supervox]

I have a naked SV Thou & there;s 3 very good reasons why I wouldn't go touring on it :-

(a) Fuel consumption

(b) Comfort

(c) Because I also own a (Pre VTEC) VFR 800i

My recommendation - get a VFR !!

I personally don't like the VTEC's (not only because of the £600+ cost of the 16000 mile service) but also because of the engine characteristics in general - but hey, whatever floats your boat !!

The XJR is supposed to be a great bike (never ridden one myself) & the other one to definately consider if you have the money available is one of the BMW GS series - test rode a 1200 earlier this year - FANTASTIC !!

Hope you find what you're looking for

[northwind]

V-strom?

I wouldn't want to tour with a pillion on either a 650 or thou

The pillion seat & position are so bad that after the first day, they'd never want to get back on it

OK for one though

Originally Posted by northwind

V-strom?

Yep, a litre "Grand Touring" (comes with heated grips, gel seat, full luggage, etc. as standard) V-strom seems like it's one of the best value for money tourers and it's what I'd probably go for. Faster than you'd think too: A lad in my IAM group has the V-strom thou and he is very quick indeed.

If you don't like trailie style bikes, you could consider the Bandit 1220SA GT (bit of a mouthful)! Basically the faired bandit 12 with a bellypan and hard luggage.

I did 3 days touring (apx 200 miles per day) around north scotland 2 up with tankbag, panniers and sportsrack on sv650 with no probs.

You can tour on any bike don’t let any fool tell you that you must have something like a BMW 1200 GS to do it. I road around America across Canada and twice up and down the Alaska HWY on my GSXR600 in 2000. This trip was done in 28 days we did a total of 13000 miles. Last year I rode to the edge of the Sahara desert in Morocco about 15 miles from the edge of Algeria border. You can read about it here. Take note of what bikes were used on that trip. like Spencer who did the trip on the HONDA SILVERWING I have done many European trips and will think nothing of a 1400 mile long weekend around Scotland on my SV.

Link to my trip

PAGE 1 http://www.suzukisv1000.com/_print/sahara.htm

PAGE 2 http://www.suzukisv1000.com/_print/sahara2.htm

Enjoy

[northwind]

Yep, I agree with Chewy. But 2 up with luggage isn't quite so easy, unless you've got a wing rack or similiar- it just gets hard to physically fit stuff on the bike, as much as anything else, and there's comfort isues too.

You would be surprised at just how much people bring on a trip and don’t use it usually about 75%. So you can cut down on luggage easy. Unless you intend to camp. I can get all I need in a tail pack without expanding it. I only use a tank bag to hold my maps and a drink.

Originally Posted by northwind

Yep, I agree with Chewy. But 2 up with luggage isn't quite so easy, unless you've got a wing rack or similiar- it just gets hard to physically fit stuff on the bike, as much as anything else, and there's comfort isues too.

Yep. Look at the fastest round the world record. An R1 with some panniers and a bigger fuek tank were the only mods, right?

I'd agree that comfort, particularly 2 up, as an issue unless you're going for a similar world record dash, though. Maybe it's the SV's pillion seat, maybe it's because I move around on the bike and they stay still or maybe it's just my muscles are more used to it than theirs, but my pillions always suffer more than me after a longish ride.

Remember when taking the missus on the back: 2 times the people, 4 times the luggage. "No, you don't need 2 extra pairs of shoes and a smart dress."